A Simple Vow

Summary

Housed in a rustic red barn, the Simple Gifts crafts shop celebrates the talents of the Amish of Willow Ridge and the faith that inspires them. For the acceptance of simplicity opens the path to love.

As far as Edith Riehl is concerned, the baby twins thrust suddenly into her arms are a heaven-sent gift. Unable to conceive, she longs to be a mother with a home of her own. She's going to abide by her promise to handsome Asa Detweiler to take care of them while he looks for their real father. And even if her domineering dat Cornelius refuses to countenance Asa's suit, she can only pray that the bachelor's honesty and persistence will uncover the truth.

Asa can't understand why anyone would think that he would be so dishonorable as to father babies and then abandon them. He's determined to clear his name, but Edith's caring ways also inspire him to help heal her wounded spirit and earn her trust. In the face of heartbreaking deception, he and Edith must find the strength to understand, forgive, and claim their own hearts' joy.

Reviews

I am so happy that the author has brought back to Willow Ridge, and back with old and beloved friends. While this book focus is on the Riehl family, recent arrivals to this Amish town, and with three marriageable aged daughters, my hope is we will be back again, and I really want to know what “Dat” is up to?This is the youngest daughter’s story, Edith, and her chance meeting with Asa Detweiler, who comes from another Amish community. It seems once he sets eyes on Edith he is about to move heaven and earth to be with her, and tries to convince his brother, with whom he is in a furniture refinishing business with, to move to the progressive Willow Ridge. Asa is convinced that he needs Edith, and that his business is about to flourish if the brother’s move.There is also a precious set of twins, Louisa and Leroy, who are turned over to the Riehl family, and Edith embraces as her own. Wait until you find out who is accused of being the father of these adorable babies.Of course life cannot run smooth all the time, and this book will not leave you disappointed with the jaw dropping things that are about to happen. A book not to be missed, and looking forward to the next one!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Zebra, and was not required to give a positive review.

A Simple Vow by Charlotte Hubbard is the first book in a Simple Gifts series. In Willow Ridge the town is getting ready for the wedding of Ira Hooley and Millie Glick. Edith Riehl steps out onto the front porch and hears people arguing. Then she hears babies crying. She goes to investigate and finds two babies. Edith immediately picks them up and soothes them. Will Gingerich was bringing the babies to the Riehl’s to see if they could take care of them for him. His wife, Molly recently died from cancer leaving behind the six month old twins. On her deathbed she said the name Asa. Will found out that Molly was pregnant when she married him, but not by him. Will is at his wit’s end and needs assistance while he takes care of funeral arrangements. Edith happily takes in the twins without consulting her father. Edith loves children, but Edith is unable to have her own kids (thanks to an infection from a burst appendix when she was a teenager). Will was arguing with Asa Detweiler. He is accusing Asa of getting his Molly in the family way. Asa has never heard of Molly and denies the accusation. Asa promises Edith to get to the bottom of the situation. Asa is immediately drawn to Edith and does not want anything to stand in his way of courting her. Who is the father of the twins? Edith will have to contend with her penny pinching father who has not been in the best of moods since his wife passed away. Also, Edith feels that someone is watching her. Is she imagining it or is someone out there lurking? Will things work out between Asa and Edith? You will have to read A Simple Vow to find out.In A Simple Vow we get to revisit the town of Willow Ridge and the people who live there. It is a warm and welcoming town that is different from other Amish towns. Many women own and run businesses and the bishop is more open than most. There is a great twist that readers may or may not see coming (I figured out but then I read many mystery novels). A Simple Vow is well-written and pleasurable to read (it’s a nice change of pace). It contains good messages (moral lessons) on forgiveness, Christian love, and lending a helping hand (Christian charity). A Simple Vow has a sweet ending. If you have not read the books prior to A Simple Vow, it can get confusing. This is the first book in a new series, but it is based on characters from a previous series of books (Seasons of the Heart). I give A Simple Vow 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I will definitely be reading more books in the Simple Gifts series (and any other books by Charlotte Hubbard). I received a complimentary copy of A Simple Vow from NetGalley in exchange for an honest evaluation of the book.